Spring switch



M. C. GARLICK SPRING SWITCH I Filed 'Aug. 22 1923 IN VEN TOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 25, 1.924.

MAURICE C. GABLIOK, F EASTOIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPRING SWITCH.

Application filed. August 22, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAURICE O. GARLICK,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Easton, county of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Spring Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a spring switch, such as used, for example, at turnout stations in a single track line where it is desired to have the switch set to send cars entering the switch to the turnout track and to have it yield to automatically permit cars moving in the opposite direction to pass through the switch, after which the switch is spring returned to its original position.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a single form of switch which works with a pull or expansion spring, in stead of the usual compression spring. The expansion or pull spring is much better adapted for this purpose than the usual compression spring because it is self-cleaning and not readily clogged with dirt, ice

or the like.

Another object of the invention consists is the provision of a simple form of spring holding and tensioning device whereby the spring can be readily changed or adjusted to any desired tension.

A further object of the invention consists in the construction of the parts so that same are readily assembled without the use of bolts, screw-threads or similar connecting means, and with a construction in accordance with my invention the parts can be readily supplied in multiple and interchangeable form, so that assemblies, repairs, removals and replacements can be accomplished by unskilled workmen in a minimum of time and with a minimum of labor and and expense.

Other objects of my invention will appear in connection with the following descrip tion.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an embodiment of my invention, but it is to be understood that the construction shown is for illustration only and not for limitation of the invention, which is as broad as my claims.

In the said drawin s Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the switch lmx at the side of the Serial No. 558,697.

switch portion of the track. Fig. 2 is a section 011 the lines 22 of Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 3 is a plan view with the top of the switch box removed. Fig. t is a transverse section on the line Jr-4, Fig 2.

Switch tongue 10 is pivoted at 11 between the rails 12, 12, and is provided with a lug 13 extending downwardly through a hole 14 in the switch base 15.. The lug 13 has a transverse hole 16 formed therein. The hole 16 serves for making a detachable connection between the switch tongue 10 and the hook member 17. In the form shown hook member 17 is provided with an enlarged end portion 18 which is received loosely within the hole 16 in the lug 13, the enlarged part 18 being provided to give ample bearing surface and so that the making of a relatively large cotter pin hole therein does not unduly weaken the hook member 17. A hole 19 is formed in such enlarged part 18 of hook'member 17' where same projects beyond lug 13 and serves for the reception of a pin, such as the cotter pin 20, so that switch point 10 may be pulled laterally by the member 17. Hook member 17 is provided at its opposite end with the hook portion 21 which is adapted to be detachably engaged by the loop 22 of the pull or expansion spring 23.

The loop- 2%]; at the opposite end of ere pansion spring 23 is adapted to be detach ably engaged with the cross-bar 25. In the form shown cross-bar 25 is formed with a laterally extending bent or twisted'loop portion 26 substantially midway between its ends with which the cross-bar 25 and the loop portion 24: of the expansion spring 23 can be readily engagedwith one another and as readily disengaged.

The ends of cross-bar 25 are adapted to be received in pairs of undercut notches 27, 27 in a yoke 28. The yoke 28 is pivotally and detachably mounted in the box 29, and in the form shown, box 29, which is preferably made as a casting, is provided with inwardly extending lugs 30 having seats 31 in which the rounded ends 32 of the yoke 28 are received and pivotally supported. A sup porting member 33 is provided in the box shaped casting 29, and same serves as a top for limiting the downward movement of yoke 28 and. also serves for supporting the working parts well above the bottom 33 of the box casting 29, so that the working of same cannot be interfered with to any substantial extent by the accumulation of dirt or the freezing of water in the switch box.

The switch box 29 is located adjacent to switch member 12 and may be secured in place in any desired way. The shank 3d of hook member 17 extends through the aligned openings 35, 36 formed in the inner end of switch box 29 and in the switch member 12 respectively. A lid 37 is provided for switch box 29 and is received and supported in the internal groove 38 provided for that purpose.

It will be seen that the construction described is extremely simple and cheap and that the parts can be assembled or replaced and the spring tension adjusted with the utmost simplicity. To assemble the parts the hook member 17 is inserted through the openings provided therefor and the cotter pin 20 inserted in the hole 19, the spring 23 hooked to the hook portion 21 of member 17 the opposite end of the spring 23 engaged with the cross-bar 25, and the cross-bar 25 inserted in the under cut notches 27 provided in the yoke 28, a pair of notches 27 being chosen which will give the desired tension on the spring 23. If after a time spring 23 is weakened, the yoke 28 may be raised on its pivot and the crossbar changed to a pair of notches further from the switch, or if the switch is too tightly tensioned the cross-bar may be moved in the opposite direction to a pair of notches closer up to the switch. hen the crossbar 25 is placed in the notches 27 the yoke 28 is raised on its pivotal support, thus shortening the distance from the switch tongue to the appropriate pair of notches and enabling the crossbar to be placed in any desired pair of notches, the spring being stretched as the yoke member is depressed. It will be seen that when the yoke 28 is lowered to its position resting on the stop 23, the connexion of spring 23' to yoke member 28 by means of cross-bar 25 passes a dead center in the downward direction. so that there is no tendency of yoke 28 to rise after the parts have been adjusted into position. When the parts have been assembled or adjusted as desired, the box is closed by putting the cover or lid 37 in place. It will be seen that changes can be readily and quickly made, that the parts are so connected so that they cannot readily rust or bind together, and that the parts can be changed, removed or replaced in whole or in part in the simplest and most expeditious manner and practically. or entirely without the use of tools.

I claim:

1. In a spring switch, a pivoted switch tongue, and means for resiliently and adustably holding same toward the rail comprising an expansion spring and a pivoted yoke and detachable connecting means be tween the spring and yoke.

2. In a spring switch, a pivoted switch tongue, a pivoted yoke having recesses therein, a cross-bar in recesses oi the yoke, an expansion spring detachably engaged by the cross-bar, and means for detachably connecting the spring with the switch tongue.

3. Spring means for imparting lateral pull to a switch tongue comprising an expansion spring, and a pivoted yoke provided with adjustable means of connection to the end of said spring remote from the switch tongue.

4:. Means for imparting lateral spring pull to a switch tongue comprising a pull spring, and a pivotally mounted spring stretching and holding means applied to that end of the spring remote from the switch tongue and adapted to be turned past a dead center.

5. The combination with a pull spring of an object to be pulled thereby, and pivotally mounted spring stretching and holding means having adjustable detachable connexion with said spring and adapted to be turned on its pivot to stretch the spring and to be turned past a dead center to hold the spring in stretched condition.

(3. In combination, a pivoted switch tongue, a hook member detachably engaged therewith. an expansion spring having one end detachably engaged with said hook me1nher, a yoke having a detachable pivotal mounting and having a pluality of pairs of notches formed therein, a cross-bar adapted to be received in one or another of such pairs of notches according to the tension to be put on the spring and said cross-bar being detachably connected to the remaining end of the spring.

7. In a spring switch. a pivoted switch tongue. a perforated lug extending down therefrom, a. connecting rod member extending through the lug and having a cotter pin passed therethrough beyond the lug, a pull or expansion spring dctachably connected at one end of said member, a yoke extending at substantially a right angle to the switch tongue and having a. detachable pivotal support and having a plurality of pairs of undercut notches on its uppe side. a cross-bar adapted to enter one or another of the notches and. thereby detachab y and adjustably engage the yoke, and means of detachable connection between the cross-bar and the remaining end of the spring.

8. In a spring switch, a pivoted switch tongue, and means for resiliently holding same against a switch rail, said means comprising a spring and a pivoted spring tensioningand holding member adapted to be engaged by the end of said spring remote Ill] from the switch tongue and to put the spring under tension upon being turned upon its pivot.

9. In a spring switch, a pivoted switch tongue, and means for resiliently holding same against a switch rail, said means c0mprising a spring and a notched pivotally mounted yoke so arranged that the spring can be engaged with desired notches on the yoke and tension is put on the spring 10 In testimony whereof, I have signed my name hereto.

MAURICE C. GARLICK. 

